My poor neglected little blog . . .

I haven't posted since January . . . that's a whopping eight months.  And even then, I was just trying to catch up and give poor Sidekick #2 some undivided attention with monthly posts (and yup, I still plan on doing this!).  But let me give a quick glance update as I spend the next few weeks making this blog a priority!!

- We still live in the frozen tundra called Minnesota, but are hoping to buy a house in the new year!
- Sidekick #1 will be THREE in November, and Sidekick #2 is 16 MONTHS (they look like such big boys lately <3)
- There has definitely been some adjustments going from a SAHM, to WAHM mom, and I still feel like we are trying to find the right balance to everything (age old question: can we have it all??)
- There's been some health concerns for some of my immediate family members, so understandably I've been pretty distracted by that, too
- I've been neglectful of practically every social media field out there (tumblr, pinterest, Facebook, RP's, etc.).  Life, what can I say?  But at least it's not like I'm only neglecting the family blog . . . I'm neglecting everything social (wait, that's not much better) :(  

^ and I definitely don't like it!  I'm a social butterfly, so now that things are settling down a bit, I hope to make this blog what it should be - monthly updates, with Sidekick's growth progresses, and a way for family to connect again <3

See you all soon!

New Blog Graphics

Hi everyone!  After much technical difficulty, I am so excited to share our new blog layout, feat. our wonderful new addition, Sidekick #2 :)

They certainly aren't professional grade blog graphics, but they ain't half bad if I do say so myself ~ I'll be editing the pages in the sidebar heavily over the next few days - but just wanted to say, that I haven't forgotten about this blog!  I'd been working on the graphics for a while, trying to revamp the style, and I have a ton of blog posts getting drafted soon. 

All the while, dealing with teething babies, and sleepless nights (sleep deprivation anyone??).  Plus HeroPapa working overtime for weeks, and both he and I getting a combined 60 hours of training for our jobs D:  Ugh, to say I'm exhausted would be an understatement!  But, I am definitely excited for things to get a bit settled again, and to *finally* work on my house.  I mean, I've been here since August, and there are still SO.MANY.BOXES DD:

Today is HeroPapa and mine's 10 year anniversary <3  We've been married for seven, parents for two years, and I am so blessed to have such a wonderful partner.  And even though we are both too exhausted to do much of anything this year, we are looking forward to our first Christmas as a family of four <333

I feel horrible though about not having been able to work on Sidekick #2's monthly updates.  He's almost eight months, and I haven't done ONE :/  I really hope to come back with a bang, and get one done in a few days, as well as give a quick update about Sidekick #1.

Until then, here's a pic to tease you with of things to come :)

Could they be any cuter?? :)

Eek . . . October

Yup, it's been almost half.a.year since I've posted last.
Shame on me . . . but I promise it's not because I haven't wanted to!

So, to offer up a (way-too-super-quick) update (and with promises that a picture update is coming soon!), here's a few highlights:
 
1.) we moved . . . yup.  Again!  Have you heard about the floods in Minnesota thanks to that long winter, and that freeze into the ground that's like double than norm?  Well, our beautiful basement apartment flooded.  Several times.  And black mold was growing in it!  And the leasing office wanted us to move out before they'd do anything besides removing the drywall, so we got lawyers involved because we really didn't want to move again.  But at the end of the day, our patience was rewarded . . . becauseeeeeee

2.) I got a job!  Yup, the same week we found we had to move, I was offered an executive position to work with my youngest brother.  The best part (besides bringing in an income), is I get to work from home.  I'll definitely be elaborating on this some more in a later post, but we are hoping to pay down all those moving debts asap and the credit cards, and the car, and the student loans (those are the big ones!)

3.) Thanks to the new income, we can afford an actual home to rent (hoping to buy it within a year!).  My active little guys love the backyard!  I'll be sure to share pictures of the home as soon as I can, too :)

4.) And finally, Sidekick #1 is turning TWO next month (eek!), and yesterday, Sidekick #2 turned six months (holy heck!).  I can't wait to share pictures with you guys asap!

Hopefully soon <3

(I'll be working on pics tomorrow, and have a few posts in the works - as well as updating the graphics and info pages on the blog - can't wait to share the new layout and look).  

Thanks for keeping up with us, and I'll be sure to return the favor by posting again soon :)

Sidekick #2 Is Here!

Just wanted to give a quick update and share that Sidekick 2 is here, and though he had a bit of a rough start (a more detailed post/birth story coming asap!) - including a quick NICU stay to his jaundice levels - he's been home safe and sound for eight days now, and we are so excited for our family to be complete and are looking forward to the next chapter in our lives <3

Here's the mini birth announcement! 

(make sure to click on the pic to see a bigger size)

(And of course, now I need to update the blog graphics to include our new little mini man, and finally fix that sidebar image that keeps messing up every time I try to include links to the other pages :P )

AND hopefully now that I'm no longer sickly pregnant, and my boys are healthy and growing - I'll be able to get my internet presence back.  Sure lack of sleep won't help things, but not being hormonally imbalanced greatly enhances my concentration and ability to keep up with a blog, Facebook, and other online mommy forums that I miss dearly.